Page 33 of The Family Man

“Hey, you,” he answers. I can feel his smile coming through the phone.

“Hi. I am going to put you on speaker.”

“Okay.”

My sisters all chime in, “Hi, Zac.”

“Hi, ladies. How can I help?”

Nikhil is watching up at me. “Um, so I have two adorable children in my tulips and—”

I hear him groan over the phone. “I am so sorry. Let me call my brother, and he can get them home.”

Poppy gazes down at the ground. Her shoulders curve, like he hurt her little heart.

“Actually, we would love for Poppy and Nikhil to spend an evening with us. Is that okay?” I nibble at my bottom lip waiting for an answer.

I hear silence, then a heavy sigh. “If it’s not a burden. That will be fine.”

I don’t think Poppy knows what burden means, but I think she feels pain from his words.

“Burden! No way. I would love to have them over.”

“Okay, I come home at 7. When you are tired send them back to Daire. Can I talk to them?”

I stoop and hand the phone to Poppy.

“Poppy?” His voice is so stern.

“Zac,” she replies just like her dad.

“Behave at this nice lady’s house. Both of you. Don’t break anything, okay?”

She just looks at the phone like she wants to throw it.

“Okay?” he repeats himself.

“Yes, Zac.” She passes the phone back to me quickly.

“Talk to you later. Thanks, Sage. I owe you one. Bye.”

We all look back at the two new munchkins and they just stare back at us.

“IT’S A PARTY!” Anise screams as she extends her hand to Poppy.

She takes it. Cassia and Nikhil walk alongside each other.

Today was going to be a good day.

SAGE

There is something so pure about a child’s laugh. Rosemary had her ex-husband drop her kids over. Kayla, Finn and Chance burst through the doors of my house. The cherub chocolate faces beamed with mischief and joy. Five, eight and ten are their ages. I love my niece and nephews. They are so well mannered, sweet, intelligent and innocent.

When Kayla turns to face the room, Poppy catches her attention “Aunty Sage, who is that?” she asks, pointing.

Poppy sits up in the chair and glares at her wearily. “Go introduce yourself and find out. Go on.”

I didn’t have to tell Finn or Chance. They both jumped right in saying their hellos.

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